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Former Audi CEO’s request to released denied by German court

Rupert Stadler to remain to in jail due to fears he may try to obstruct justice

The Munich appeals court has rejected a bid by Rupert Stadler, former CEO of Audi, to regain his freedom as the judges are afraid he may collude or otherwise try to obstruct justice.

A statement released by the court, and seen by Reuters, says: “The Chamber emphasises that danger of obstructing justice remains. The release of the accused from custody was therefore rejected.”

In an email response to Bloomberg, the court said it’s likely Stadler “allowed the engines to be deployed and to be sold despite knowing about the manipulation or deliberately turning a blind eye on the manipulation”.

Stadler was arrested on June 18, European time, by German prosecutors because they feared he may be trying to suppress evidence related to the country’s on-going Dieselgate investigations.

Although Audi says he is innocent until proven guilty, Stadler was relieved of his duties, and replaced on an interim basis Bram Schot, who was previously the company’s sales chief.

Rumours appeared last month linking former BMW purchasing chief Markus Duesmann to the role of permanent CEO. Duesmann is set to join the management board of Volkswagen Group “as soon as he is able to do so”.